Todd Porter: Derek Anderson lives for another game

Sunday

Sep 28, 2008 at 12:01 AMSep 28, 2008 at 2:00 PM

By the time Derek Anderson put on his Cleveland Browns uniform last week at practice, he knew his size 17 shoes were walking a plank. In the second half of Sunday¹s 20-12 win against one of the worst organizations in the world, the Bengals, Anderson¹s career neared the end of that plank.

Todd Porter

By the time Derek Anderson put on his Cleveland Browns uniform last week at practice, he knew his size 17 shoes were walking a plank. In the second half of Sunday¹s 20-12 win against one of the worst organizations in the world, the Bengals, Anderson¹s career neared the end of that plank.

He threw a bad interception coming out of halftime. On the next series, Anderson’s weak pass to Kellen Winslow Jr. was broken up on second-and-5. In a vote of no confidence, the Browns handed the ball to Jason Wright on third down from the Cleveland 7.

Anderson’s psyche, though, wasn’t shaken. It wasn’t shaken last week when Head Coach Romeo Crennel announced he would have fan-favorite Brady Quinn ready to go. His psyche was shaken when Quinn, for a few minutes, looked like he was about to take the baton from Anderson.

The thought of being replaced had to run through Anderson’s head.

“Nope. Don’t go there,” Anderson said. “I stayed in the game. You’re not going to score every single drive. It was a little miscommunication. I continued to fight, and communicate on the sideline and talk through things.”

Instead, the big-footed, strong-armed quarterback from Scappoose, Ore., lived for another game. Crennel debated about making a quarterback switch with the game on the line and his team, winless in three games, trailing 6-3.

“You have to go with a gut feeling as this thing goes along,” Crennel said. “D.A. was harassed a little bit on one of his interceptions. Probably, if he wasn’t harassed, that would’ve been a good play for our team. I decided to give him another chance, and he went out and took advantage of it.”

Had Anderson not led the Browns to a scoring drive, he may never have had the opportunity again. Once Quinn is put in a game because of performance, Anderson isn’t going back in.

“You guys (media) made it pretty miserable,” Anderson joked about the pressure he felt last week. “That’s your job. It was a frustrating to go oh-and-three in games we had a chance in, and the expectations we put on ourselves. But we had a good week of practice. ... The attitude of everybody has changed. Guys were OK and things are starting to come together for us.”

Anderson rallied -- himself and his team -- on a 13-play, 80-yard drive. He completed 5-of-6 passes for 46 yards. His only incompletion was a catch Braylon Edwards made out of bounds in the end zone.

On the very next play, Anderson threw a perfect pass to Edwards over cornerback Leon Hall for a touchdown, and a Browns lead.

That play changed a game. It may change a season. It definitely altered a career for another game. One organization felt a sense of relief. Another felt trapped in a cement pit.

“Losing is difficult all the time and particularly when you put them back to back,” Crennel said. “ ... (Winning) was not only crucial for Derek, it was crucial for our team and our team played as a team. Everybody made a contribution.”

Who knows what would have happened had Cleveland lost. Anderson would have been replaced. Crennel might also have been during the coming bye week.

Things could’ve got uglier than they already are.

Being yanked, Anderson thought, wasn’t an option. He’s the kid from nowhere. He’s the former sixth-round Ravens draft pick who was cast aside and found a place, and a chance, in Cleveland. He’s the guy who made the Pro Bowl last year.

“I’ve never struggled for three straight games like that,” Anderson said. “I’ve had a couple of bad ones. But never three terrible ones where you say, ‘Wow. What just happened?’ “

Anderson was tied for the league interceptions lead. He had the second-worst passer rating. His numbers Sunday we’re Honolulu-like, but 15-of-24 for 138 yards and a win is enough to save his job for another week.

Anderson’s job is safe for another game. He has to perform. Crennel probably feels a degree of loyalty to the kid who took over last season and helped pull a season headed to hell in a handbasket into something promising this year.

“I think Brady will be ready as always,” Crennel said. “He worked really hard and he’s a smart young man. When he’s called on, he will go in there and do a good job.”

Crennel said when, not if, Quinn is called on.

Anderson and Crennel have had meetings. They’ve talked. Anderson knows his performance hasn’t measured up. But who has?

Edwards leads the league in dropped passes. The offensive line was protecting without Eric Steinbach until Sunday. Donté Stallworth continues to nurse a thigh injury and hasn’t played.

“I tell (Romeo) I’m never going to quit on him,” Anderson said. “I’m always going it put in the work that needs to be done and keep fighting.”